The Director of National Parks is inviting comments on a Draft Management Plan for the South-east Marine Parks Network.
The South-east Network includes 14 marine parks off the coast of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. These parks protect 701,927 square kilometers of incredible habitats and ecosystems that make the region one of the most diverse in the world.
The first South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan expired on 30 June 2023. Parks Australia has worked closely with stakeholders to draft the South-east Network Management Plan. The Draft Management Plan aims to enhance protection of an array of unique and vulnerable marine habitats and species by rezoning an area roughly the size of Tasmania to no take zone and doubling the area of vulnerable continental shelf under high protection.
This second consultation period is designed to garner feedback on the draft management plan. Parks Australia will consider all comments when finalising the new management plan, which will guide management of the South-east Network over the next ten years.
The Draft Plan includes a disclaimer that it is not formally endorsed by Traditional Owners. Parks Australia will undertake targeted First Nations engagement in parallel to the public comment period to ensure First Nations are actively engaged in the public comment process.
To Have Your Say on the Draft Management Plan, visit the Have Your Say Website and make a submission by 11.30 pm (AEDT) Thursday 14 November.
More information, including resources and instructions on how to make a submission is available on the Draft South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan page and the Have Your Say Website.
